The Kill Point

The Kill Point
Genre Crime/Drama
Created by James DeMonaco
Starring Donnie Wahlberg
Michael Hyatt
John Leguizamo
Tobin Bell
Jeremy Davidson
Leo Fitzpatrick
Frank Grillo
JD Williams
Joshua Elijah Reese
Composer(s) Justin Burnett
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 8
Production
Executive producer(s) Todd Lieberman
David Hoberman
James DeMonaco
Producer(s) Steve Shill
Randy Nelson
Todd Harthan
Location(s) Pittsburgh
Production company(s) Lions Gate Television
Mandeville Films
Release
Original network Spike TV
Original release July 22 – August 26, 2007

The Kill Point is an American television series that follows a group of U.S. Marines recently returned from serving in Iraq as they come together to pull off a major bank heist of a Three Rivers Bank branch in Pittsburgh. The series, produced by Mandeville Films and Lionsgate Television, is the first drama for the Spike TV network.[1] The film of the series had the working title The Kill Pitt.

Most of the filming takes place in Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh while most of the sound stage filming takes place in a warehouse in Lawrenceville, a section of Pittsburgh.

A first person shooter game based on the show is available online from Kuma Reality Games.

Plot summary

Jake "Mr. Wolf" Mendez (John Leguizamo), an ex-Sergeant in the Marine Corps and his men, all former members of the "10-13", a military platoon that participated in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, enter a bank and successfully rob it. On their way to the getaway car, they come under fire from some law enforcement and private security personnel. Forced to retreat back into the bank when their getaway driver is wounded and their vehicle is disabled, they make hostages of the customers who failed to escape during the firefight.

The eight episode mini-series follows the plight of the robbers and hostages as the police, led by hostage negotiator Captain Horst Cali (Donnie Wahlberg), attempt to end the stand off while elements of the "10-13" outside the bank and the father of one of the hostages (played by Tobin Bell) work to help Mr. Wolf and his team escape.

Characters

Law enforcement and other characters

Hostage takers

Hostages

Episodes

Episode # Title Air Date Re-Aired Re-Aired
1 "Who's Afraid of Mr. Wolf, Part 1" July 22, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 7, 2008 as "Another Tour"
2 "Who's Afraid of Mr. Wolf, Part 2" July 22, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 8, 2008 as "Who's Afraid of Mr. Wolf?"
3 "No Meringue" July 29, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 9, 2008
4 "Pro Patria" August 5, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 10, 2008
5 "Visiting Hours" August 12, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 11, 2008
6 "The Great Ape Escape" August 19, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 14, 2008
7 "The Devil's Zoo, Part 1" August 26, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 15, 2008 as "Rabbit at Unrest"
8 "The Devil's Zoo, Part 2" August 26, 2007 February 16, 2008 July 16, 2008 as "The Devil's Zoo"

Crew

The series was executive produced by James DeMonaco, David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Steve Shill.[2] DeMonaco has dealt with hostage situations before in his script for The Negotiator. Directors include cable regular Steve Shill who the network hoped would help to establish their reputation for drama.[1]

Critical response

Critics have characterised the show as familiar but watchable.[3][4][5][6][7][8] Comparisons have been drawn to 1970s bank heist movies,[6][7] Tarantino,[4] The Nine[2][3][4][6][8][9] and 24.[2] Comparisons to The Nine have been favourable on the grounds that The Kill Point always has an ending in sight.[3][6][9] Mr. Wolf's speeches to the crowd has been called "an Attica[7] moment" and compared to Dog Day Afternoon.[3][6]

The characters have been described as cliché by reviewers.[2][5] However, the script has drawn praise for its subtlety and entertainment value.[5] One reviewer felt that the running time allowed the cliched characters to be developed in more interesting directions.[2]

The casting of the show has drawn particular praise. Reviewers have noted the cast members who have also worked on The Wire including Michael K. Williams, JD Williams, Leo Fitzpatrick and Michael Hyatt.[3][7] The chemistry of the opposing roles of negotiator and hostage taker also drew praise for John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg as well as a surprising performance by Jeremy Davidson an unknown whose portrayal of a disturbed war veteran was very under-rated.[1][2][6][7] The Pittsburgh Post Gazette praised local actor Bingo O'Malley.[8]

Webisodes

Online only "webisodes" featuring Steve Cirbus as Deke and Joshua Elijah Reese as Derzius were made available via Spike TV's website.[8] They cover the activities of Deke and Derzius of 10/13 platoon outside the bank as they work to aid Mendez and company.

Cancellation

Despite healthy ratings and attaining the target demographic of male viewers, Spike decided not to renew the series for a second season.[10]

DVD release

The series was released on DVD in the United Kingdom in 2008.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bill Keveny (July 20, 2007). "Spike's aiming higher with 'The Kill Point'". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Barry Garron (2007). "The Kill Point". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Alan Sepinwall (2007). "'The Kill Point' proves formulas can pay off". New Jersey Star Ledger. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  4. 1 2 3 Matt Roush (2007). "In Summer, Cable Keeps Heating Up". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  5. 1 2 3 Robert Lloyd (2007). "Spike TV offers babe-free viewing". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2007-08-26. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Linda Stasi (July 20, 2007). "Gang Grim". New York Post. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Brian Lowry (July 19, 2007). "The Kill Point". Variety. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Rob Owen (July 22, 2007). "'Kill Point' starts slow, then flows". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  9. 1 2 Robert Bianco (July 23, 2007). "What to watch this weekend". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  10. Owen, Rob (2007-11-13). "'Kill Point' sequel dead". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

External links

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